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Hane Naoki won game 6 in Honinbo Title and the score is even: 3-3.

Since he was led 3-0, this is one of those rare, miracle come-backs in 7 games titles. I remember reading in a Go World review that more often than not the one that comes from behind has better chances statistically to win the 7th game and the title.

Takao Shinji, the current Honinbo title owner, seems disappointed in the photo below:

Here is the game record. Hane looked very inspired in this game: the attachment at 57, and the following sequence (including the sacrifice at 67) show that he deserved to win.

The 7th and last game will be played in just a couple of days, on July 22nd and 23rd.

Hane Naoki recovered after losing the first 3 games in his challenge for the Japanese Honinbo title currently owned by Takao Shinji: he won games 4 and 5, closing the gap to just one game difference. Photo and game record from 4th game:

Game 5 was particularly spectacular, ending in a huge semeai spawning over most of the board.

Next game will be played on July 16th and 17th. Takao is still one win away from keeping his title, while Hane needs two wins to capture it.

Takao Shinji won the 3rd game as well in this year’s Honinbo Title. As the system is best-of-seven, one more win will assure Takao of holding the title for one more year. The challenger, Hane Naoki (on the left hand side in the photo below), will have to win four games in a row now to capture the title.

Takao Shinji had a good start in the defense of his Honinbo title: he won the first game against Hane Naoki by 3.5 points.

Here is the game record.

Next game will be played on May 27th and 28th.

Hane Naoki is challenging the Honinbo title holder, Takao Shinji.

The game will conclude tomorrow (May 15 in Japan).